Raikkonen fastest in F1 practice
 |  Kimi Raikkonen was 0.125 seconds ahead of Schumacher |
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BUDAPEST, Hungary -- McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen came out on top after the second practice session ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, out-pacing the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.
The Finn clocked 1:20.884 at the Hungaroring, eight 10ths of a second faster than last year's pole position time set by Renault's Fernando Alonso.
Six-times world champion Michael Schumacher came in second with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in third place.
McLaren have made a big step forward after introducing their new car in early July but Raikkonen was reluctant to get carried away.
"It's only Friday, we need to see what happens tomorrow (in qualifying) but it's better to be in first place than in 10th," said the Finn, who was second to Schumacher by just two points in last season's final standings.
"The car felt not too bad, although there are still improvements to make," he added. "Considering it was the first day, it was quite good. The track wasn't as dusty as last year and the car seems to be better this year, so I was quite happy."
"As long as we get the rhythm working and the setup right ... we can challenge for first place."
Ferrari could secure the constructors championship this weekend while another victory for Michael Schumacher would re-write F1 history books as no-one before him has ever succeeded in clinching as many victories in one season.
Ricardo Zonta, who has replaced Christiano da Matta at Toyota until the end of the 2004 season, came in 18th, well behind teammate Olivier Panis in fifth.
Leading Free Practice Times
1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) McLaren-Mercedes 1:20.884
2. Michael Schumacher (GER) Ferrari 1:21.009
3. Juan Pablo Montoya (COL) Williams-BMW 1:21.185
4. David Coulthard (GBR) McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.203
5. Olivier Panis (FRA) Toyota 1:21.352
6. Takuma Sato (JPN) BAR-Honda 1:21.364
7. Antonio Pizzonia (BRA) Williams-BMW 1:21.574
8. Jenson Button (GBR) BAR-Honda 1:21.685
9. Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Ferrari 1:21.712
10. Fernando Alonso (SPA) Renault 1:21.948
